“Of course, sir.”
The guards scrambled to unload what looked like the king’s duffle bag, complete with embroidered AI insignia.
That bastard packed a bag before he fled to let us fight on our own?
“And what would you like to do about your wife? She was held captive and is badly wounded.”
“Hasn’t she been healed yet?!” Declan asked—or rather demanded. “How could you—?”
The group strode past us, and we shrank back into the shrubs.
“All of the healers from the castle were killed in the raid, sir,” one of the guards said.
The alpha king snarled, and I shrank farther back at the raw power and menace in his voice.
“Well, get back on that boat, and go find me another one from the mainland, you jackass!” the king snapped, the threat clear as if he’d spoken it. “And you’dbetterhope she survives. My heirs adore their mother.”
My heirsadore her, not him. Suddenly, I felt very stabby, and I forced myself to take several deep breaths to calm down.
We waited until their voices faded and the one guard had taken the small speedboat and was riding it full-steam ahead back to the mainland. Then, we inched our way out of the undergrowth. Both Nell and Rue’s eyes were wide, reflecting the same shock I felt.
The alpha king fled while we were under attack. Even worse, he’d left his injured wife.
We boarded an Alpha Academy crested speedboat and carefully loaded Kaja’s limp form, trying to do all we could to not injure her further. Rue and Nell worked in tandem to unmoor the small craft. As we glided over the water, I leaned over Kaja and whispered, “Hang on, girl. We’re gonna fix you, good as new.”
Chapter 18
Rue pulledup to a long dock bustling with activity despite the darkness. Or maybe the traffic was because of the cover of night. Either way, dozens of people milled about, their hushed voices creating a low, indistinguishable buzz. Their transactions occurred with a rapidity that made my head hurt, a sleight of hand and exchange of goods. As soon as we tied the boat off, silence descended over the crowd.
Nell jumped onto the dock, and the crowd dispersed, casting wary glances our way. Probably because we were all covered in blood and holding an unconscious girl, driving a boat from Alpha Academy.
“That’s quite a welcome,” I muttered, sensing the first inkling of unease trickling through my insides. “So, how do we do this?” I glanced down at Kaja and then to her sisters. “Should two of us go and one of us stay here with Kaja? Or should we bring her with?”
I didn’t know how this worked. I just wanted to make sure we got a good potion, and Rue and Nell were both a little too quick to say their sister was dying. My attention drifted to the fleeing crowd, still confused that they would all bolt.
Every single one of them ran … except one.
Nell said, “I’m not sure—”
“What are you doing here,wolves?” the lone man asked, his deep voice coming from within the folds of his cloak.
Chills ran the length of my arms, and dread sank deep into my gut.
“We are here to do business.” I gulped. “Same as any.” My voice was firm, a relief because on the inside, I was a mess.
Still several steps away from us, he raised his head and took a deep inhale. “Are you here buying?”
He stepped closer, and my wolf squirmed. Yeah, I had a bad feeling too.
“Or selling?” he asked.
Selling?Selling what?
Before I could protest the absurdity of his question, Rue—quiet, studious Rue—replied, “A bit of both.”
“I’ll give you five gold coins for her liver.” The man pulled his hood back and licked his lips, looking at Kaja’s limp form. His face was covered with thin white scars draped over a network of black veins.
Eww! Also, hell to the NO!
